Portable dance game system

ABSTRACT

A dance game system includes a host and a motion sensor. The host includes a prompting unit using indicators to prompt dance step directions. The motion sensor includes an acceleration sensor sensing user&#39;s dance step directions and communicating with the host wirelessly. The dance game system can operate without using a display unit (such as TV) or dance pads. Therefore, the dance game system is safer and easy to carry about, and the operation thereof is not limited by dance pads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dance game system, and moreparticularly to a portable dance game system.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates conventional dance game system, which comprises ahost (not illustrated), a display unit 11, and dance pads 12. The hostexecutes programs and presents the images directing users' dance stepson the display unit 11. For example, the images on the display unit 11include static signs 111 respectively indicating UP, DOWN, LEFT andRIGHT, and scrollable signs 112. When one scrollable sign 112 isscrolled up to coincide with one static sign 111, the user steps on anarea of the dance pad 12 corresponding to the same direction. The dancepad 12 generates a signal transmitted to the host via a wire 121, andthe host determines whether the step is correct or not and presents theresult on the display unit 11.

The conventional dance game system mentioned above needs a larger sizedisplay unit 11, such as a TV or a monitor. Therefore, the conventionaldance game system is large and hard to carry about, and the sites forplaying a dance game are limited. Besides, when two persons play thedance game at the same time, they both face the display units 11 withthe result that users lack interaction between them. As the users haveto use the dance pads 12 to input signals, dance activities are limitedto inside the dance pads 12. Further, the dance pads 12 may slip andcause safety concern of the players.

Accordingly, how to solve the above-mentioned problems of theconventional dance game system is highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a dance game system, which promptsstep directions with indicators and detects step directions with anacceleration sensor, whereby users can play a dance game without using adisplay unit or dance pads. Thus, the present invention is safer andeasy to carry about, and the playing space thereof is not limited by thedance pads.

In one embodiment, a dance game system comprises a host and a motionsensor. The host comprises a data inputting interface, an audiooutputting unit, a prompting unit, a control unit, a first transceiver,a user interface and a power supply unit. The data inputting interfacecommunicates with a storage medium. The storage medium stores at leastone audio signal and at least one prompting signal. The audio outputtingunit outputs the audio signals. The prompting unit prompts stepdirections to users. The control unit is electrically coupled to thedata inputting interface, the audio outputting unit, and the promptingunit. The control unit receives the audio signals and the promptingsignals and then outputs the audio signals to the audio outputting unitand controls the prompting unit according to the prompting signals. Thefirst transceiver receives a dance step signal, and the control unituses the step signal to determine whether or not the dance step of theuser is correct. Users use the user interface to operate the host. Thepower supply unit provides power for the host. The motion sensor is wornon two feet of a user and further comprises an acceleration sensor, aprocessing unit, a second transceiver and a battery module. Theacceleration sensor senses the motions of the feet and outputs sensationsignals. The processing unit is electrically coupled to the accelerationsensor. The processing unit processes the sensation signals and outputsthe dance step signals. The second transceiver is electrically coupledto the processing unit to receive the dance step signals and then sendsout the dance step signals. The battery module provides power for themotion sensor.

The objective, technologies, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by wayof illustration and example, certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing conceptions and their accompanying advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated after being betterunderstood by referring to the following detailed description, inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the operation of aconventional dance game system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a dance game systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the host appearance of adance game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 illustrates a dance game system. In one embodiment, a dance gamesystem 2 comprises a host 21 and a motion sensor 22. The host 21comprises a data inputting interface 218, an audio outputting unit 212,a prompting unit 211, a control unit 215, a first transceiver 217, auser interface 214 and a power supply unit 216. The data inputtinginterface 218 communicates with a storage medium 3. The storage medium 3stores at least one audio signal AS and at least one prompting signalPS. For example, the storage medium 3 is a memory card or a gamecartridge. The audio outputting unit 212 outputs audio signals AS. Theprompting unit 211 prompts step directions to users.

The control unit 215 is electrically coupled to the data inputtinginterface 218, the audio outputting unit 212, and the prompting unit211. The control unit 215 receives audio signals AS and promptingsignals PS from the storage medium 3 via the data inputting interface218. Then, the control unit 218 transmits the audio signals AS to theaudio outputting unit 212, and the audio outputting unit 212 outputs theaudio signals AS. The control unit 218 controls the prompting unit 211according to the prompting signals PS. For example, the audio outputtingunit 212 is a built-in speaker or an external speaker, and the promptingunit 211 includes a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), and theLEDs are respectively arranged in 4-8 different directions to promptdance step directions to a user, as shown in FIG. 3.

The first transceiver 217 receives a step signal StS, and the controlunit 215 determines whether or not the step of a user is correctaccording to the step signal StS. The user uses the user interface 214to operate the host 21. For example, the user interface 214 comprises aplurality of buttons 2141 and a built-in display unit 2142, as shown inFIG. 3. The display unit 2142 is only intended to present briefinformation, such as repertoire, score, elapsed time, consumed calories,etc. Therefore, the display unit 2142 can be miniaturized. The powersupply unit 216 provides power for the host 21.

The motion sensor 22 is worn on two feet of a user. The motion sensor 22detects the motions of the feet and transmits the motion signals to thehost 21. The motion sensor 22 comprises an acceleration sensor 223, aprocessing unit 222, a second transceiver 221 and a battery module 224.The acceleration sensor 223 senses the motions of the feet and outputs asensation signal SeS. For example, the acceleration sensor 223 is atwo-axis or three-axis acceleration sensor. It should be particularlymentioned that the acceleration sensor 223 not only can sense themotions of two feet toward 4-8 different directions but also can detectthe motions of standing on toes, standing on heels, revolving, bouncing,etc.

The processing unit 222 is electrically coupled to the accelerationsensor 223. The processing unit 222 processes sensation signals SeS andoutputs step signals StS. The second transceiver 221 is electricallycoupled to the processing unit 222 to receive step signals StS and thensends out the step signals StS. The battery module 224 provides powerfor the motion sensor 22.

In one embodiment, a communication frequency of the second transceiver221 and the first transceiver 217 may be an ISM band (IndustrialScientific Medical band), such as 27 MHz or 2.4 GHz, and the secondtransceiver 221 and the first transceiver 217 may be two-waytransmission. For example, each of the second transceiver 221 and thefirst transceiver 217 may be a Bluetooth module or a WLAN (WirelessLocal Area Network) module. The power supply unit 216 may be arechargeable battery, a disposable battery or an external power source.The battery module 224 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposablebattery.

In the abovementioned structure, the control unit 215 of the host 21receives audio signals AS and prompting signals PS. The audio signals ASinclude music, voice, sound effects and a combination thereof. Thecontrol unit 215 controls the audio outputting unit 212 to output theaudio signals AS for users. According to the predetermined promptingsignals PS, the control unit 215 controls the indicators of theprompting unit 211, and the user moves his feet according to theindicators. For example, the user moves his feet forward, backward,left, right, upper left, lower left, upper right, or lower rightaccording to the indicators. According to another example, the userstands on toes, stands on heels, revolves or bounces according to theindicators.

Further, the motion sensor 22 worn on the feet converts the foot motionsresponding to the indicators into step signals StS and returns the stepsignals StS to the host 21. The control unit 215 evaluates the footmotions of the user according to the feedback step signals StS andresponds to the foot motions via controlling the audio outputting unit212 to make voices (such as GREAT, GOOD, BAD, etc.) or sound effects.

Referring to FIG. 2, the host 21 of the dance game system 2 furthercomprises a communicating port 213 electrically coupled to the controlunit 215, and the host 21 can exchange data with another host 21′ viathe communication port 213. Inserting the storage medium 3 into the host21 or the host 21′ enables more than two persons to play dance gamesimultaneously. In one embodiment, the communicating port 213 is a wiredor wireless communicating port.

In conclusion, the dance game system of the present invention does notuse a larger-size and complicated display unit, instead adoptsindicators to prompt step directions. Therefore, the present inventioncan realize a miniaturized dance game system which is not limited by thespace. The present invention does not use the conventional dance pads,instead adopts an acceleration sensor to detect dance steps andtransmits the results to the host wirelessly. Therefore, the operationarea of the dance game system is not limited by the dance pads, and thesafety concern of the users caused by slippery dance pads may beavoided. Further, when using the present invention, users needn't faceconventional display units, such as televisions, but can arbitrarilyarrange the portable dance game systems. For example, the users can playthe dance game systems of the present invention by facing to each other.Therefore, the users can have better interaction while using the presentinvention.

The embodiments described above are intended to demonstrate the technicsand features of the present invention to enable the persons skilled inthe art to understand, make, and practice the present invention.However, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.Any equivalent modification or variation according to the spirit of thepresent invention shall also be construed to be within the scope of thepresent invention.

1. A dance game system comprising: a host comprising: a data inputtinginterface communicating with a storage medium storing at least one audiosignal and at least one prompting signal; an audio outputting unitoutputting the audio signal; a prompting unit prompting step directionsof a user; a control unit electrically coupled to the data inputtinginterface, the audio outputting unit, and the prompting unit, receivingthe audio signal and transmitting the audio signal to the audiooutputting unit, and receiving the prompting signal and controlling theprompting unit according to the prompting signal; a first transceiverreceiving a step signal, wherein the control unit determines whether ornot a step of the user is correct according to the step signal; a userinterface, whereby the user operates the host; and a power supply unitproviding power to the host; and a motion sensor worn on feet of theuser and comprising: an acceleration sensor sensing the step of the userand outputting a sensation signal; a processing unit electricallycoupled to the acceleration sensor, processing the sensation signal, andoutputting the step signal; an second transceiver electrically coupledto the processing unit and transmitting the step signal; and a batterymodule providing power to the motion sensor.
 2. The dance game systemaccording to claim 1 further comprising a communication portelectrically coupled to the processing unit, whereby the host exchangesdata with another host.
 3. The dance game system according to claim 2,wherein the communication port includes a wired communication port or awireless communication port.
 4. The dance game system according to claim1, wherein the prompting unit comprises a plurality of light emittingdiodes.
 5. The dance game system according to claim 4, wherein the lightemitting diodes are respectively arranged in 4-8 directions.
 6. Thedance game system according to claim 1, wherein the audio outputtingunit includes a built-in speaker.
 7. The dance game system according toclaim 1, wherein the audio outputting unit includes an external speaker.8. The dance game system according to claim 1, wherein the userinterface comprises a plurality of buttons and a built-in display unit.9. The dance game system according to claim 1, wherein the storagemedium is a memory card or a game cartridge.
 10. The dance game systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the audio signal is a music signal, avoice signal, a sound effect signal, or a combination thereof.
 11. Thedance game system according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration sensoris a two-axial acceleration sensor or a three-axis acceleration sensor.12. The dance game system according to claim 1, wherein a communicationfrequency of the first transceiver and the second transceiver is an ISMband (Industrial Scientific Medical band).
 13. The dance game systemaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the first transceiver and thesecond transceiver includes a Bluetooth module or a WLAN (wireless localarea network) module.
 14. The dance game system according to claim 1,wherein the power supply unit includes rechargeable battery, adisposable battery or an external power source.
 15. The dance gamesystem according to claim 1, wherein the battery module includesrechargeable battery or a disposable battery.